Much Ado About Nothing: Study Day
Deep dive into Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s battle of wits and wooing, and discover more about our 2024 production in this interactive Study Day.
Through a series of talks and discussions with academics and artists, you’ll explore the play’s characters and its depictions of society and gender, learn about its historical and cultural context, and understand how Shakespeare’s enduring comedy has been brought to life on stage.
You’ll end the day with a Q&A with members of the company of our summer production, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain further insight into the show.
This Study Day can be enjoyed on its own but is also a perfect introduction to our production of Much Ado About Nothing so why not round off your day with a ticket to the evening performance following the Study Day. Tickets for the performance are not included in the Study Day ticket price and must be purchased separately.
DETAILS
TICKETS
£100
Become a Member and get 20% off Much Ado About Nothing: Study Day and selected research events and activities.
Please note, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder for this event
This event is on-site.
Running time is approximately 6 hours, including breaks
Terms and conditions
A £2.50 transaction fee per order applies online and over the telephone.
Part of Research Events
Photography: The Other Richard
Art Direction: Doug Kerr
Plan your visit
Find out how to get here, where to stay and read our FAQs.
Everything you need to know about our access offering, including a full list of upcoming access performances.
SCHEDULE
12.00pm – Welcome with Dr Will Tosh, Head of Research (Shakespeare’s Globe)
12.15 – 1.15pm
Session 1: ‘Kill Claudio’: Women, Wit and War in Much Ado About Nothing with Dr Tristan Marshall (University of Cambridge)
Much Ado begins with the ending to one armed conflict but shows us another kind of war – the rhetorical one waged between the sexes. How does Beatrice’s character comment upon Elizabethan ideas about gender and power, and how might audiences have responded to her in 1598?
1.15pm – 2.15pm
Break for lunch
2.15pm – 3.15pm
Session 2: ‘Much Ado About Knotting’ with Dr Varsha Panjwani (New York University – London)
With a dizzying array of options, from matrimonial apps to being set up by friends to match-making aunties, how should we go about the perilous business of choosing a marriage partner? This talk will investigate why Shakespeare’s play was asking such questions in the sixteenth century, and how productions of the play from India and the Indian diaspora in our own time might have some answers.
3.15pm – 3.30pm
Break
3.30pm – 4.30pm
Session 3: ‘Much Ado: From Page to Stage’ with Dr Daniel Smith (King’s College London)
This session explores the original text that lies behind any modern edition or production of Much Ado About Nothing. Scholars believe that the play’s first printing was set from Shakespeare’s ‘foul papers’, or unpolished draft. We examine some textual cruxes and the interpretative opportunities they afford. We will also workshop some passages to see how an editorial decision can influence what we see on stage.
4.30pm – 5.00pm
Tea break – provided
5.00pm – 6.00pm
Q&A with members of the Much Ado About Nothing cast
SPEAKERS
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